Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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{Compassion} Lighten up, little girl.

September 7, 2013 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I have no idea why I stared at my 5th birthday cake at Chuck E. Cheese with such disgust. Maybe it was because, yes, again, my name was spelled wrong. Maybe I didn’t like the crowd of friends and family embarrassing me with the traditional “Happy Birthday.” Either one is certainly possible. I still don’t like to be the center of a “Happy Birthday” rendition!

It’s taken me a long time since my 5th birthday {that would have been May 1984, folks!} to realize that life isn’t perfect. People don’t react like I think they will. Sometimes I say too much and other times I don’t say enough. Some days are harder than I expect and others surprise me with how lovely they are.

Join Me for Blog MonthHealth and financial woes creep into lives. Disagreements arise, sometimes forcing hard decisions. Each family is different. Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual. And marriage is hard work that has proven worth it, even just 11 years in.

Life isn’t perfect. But it doesn’t need to be. In perfection, we wouldn’t need each other. In trying to figure out, we make friends and have revelations. We’re spurred on toward the next moment that will change our hearts and create our legacy.

We’re blessed in imperfection and are given more opportunities than we ever can notice to be a blessing.

September is Compassion International’s Blog Month, which aims to find sponsors for 3,160 children whose lives are far from perfect. Better than any birthday party, just $38 a month can change their lives and take away some of their burdens.

These children may have frowns because their lives are harder than I can ever imagine. But I’ve seen pictures of smiles. There is hope there, friends. There where frowns seem to be expected, smiles are possible. In Guatemala and Uganda. In Peru and Ecuador. Across the globe. And in our futures right here. It all makes a cake with a misspelled name and a fictional mouse not seem so bad.

And here I am, 29 years later, left wanting to scream back to my 5-year-old self: Lighten up, little girl. There is a big world beyond you. Most people mean well, even some days are hard. Not everything will always be right, but there is joy here in this moment, even if you are required to wear a silly hat. Just ask God to show you. And be sure to help a friend along the way.

________

I believe in Compassion International. Our family sponsors two children and serves as a correspondence sponsor to a third. If you’re looking for a way to make a lasting difference, Compassion International is one way. 

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Filed Under: Compassion, faith

Comments

  1. Beth says

    September 7, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Love your pictures! 🙂 This tugs at my heart as it's something I have really been wanting to do. After returning from Guatemala I'm still trying to figure out where to focus my time but also who God is placing on my heart to support. It's a struggle right now but I know in time God will make it clear. I pray all these children receive a sponsor. Thank you for your heart to share this mission. Many blessings to you Kristin.

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    September 9, 2013 at 1:11 am

    We sponsor a girl named Roselyn from Guatemala who is 6 months older than our girl. I'd love to go there some day! God will lead you, that's for sure!

    Reply

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

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To live in communion with one another, means to sh To live in communion with one another, means to share meals, space, advice, and prayers. It also means sharing hope, disappointment, dreams, and forgiveness. 

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So many of my Facebook friends shared lovely pictu So many of my Facebook friends shared lovely pictures of their daughters yesterday for the completely made-up National Daughters Day. Regardless, today I'm all in my feelings about my daughters. 

They're 16 and 8 right now. Both of their classes have been studying ancient Egypt and had a joint feast today. Sweet, huh? 

BUT THEN TIMEHOP GOT ME! Apparently, NINE years ago today, when Cate was a second-grader, her class had an Egyptian feast. I think about a particular picture of Cate and her friend Kilee from that day AND THEN IT CAME UP IN MY TIMEHOP TODAY. Facebook also told me that same day nine years ago, Monica and I became Facebook friends. We probably were at the Egyptian feast and decided we'd be friends because our girls were friends. Y'all, God has been so good to me through my friendship with Monica. Our families click in a special way with our three sets of same-aged kids, most of whom have been adopted. 

Anyway, my daughters. They're lovely, funny, and smart. I love that Cate helped Rachel with her Egyptian eye makeup this morning and made her a Nutella and banana sandwich. I love that they got to have a party today at school together. I love that even though they're eight years apart, they're sisters. 

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do. 💛

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I’m pretty much always thinking about my next tr I’m pretty much always thinking about my next trip! Be it a weekend getaway or a family vacation, I’ve always got ideas of where I want to go next. The rest of my family always has suggestions too. Yes, take the (next) trip!

In the blog post HOW TO TAKE THE TRIP, I share lots of links and suggestions on where to go, who can help you, and what to take with you. 

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Recently, in random snapshots. This is a full life Recently, in random snapshots. This is a full life, but it’s a good life. 💛

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You’re a light wherever you go! And you like to You’re a light wherever you go! And you like to go! You’re always making friends, asking about our next adventure, wanting to know what’s next, and talking if you’re not singing. You’re the joy our family needed in 2015 and you continue to be the one who makes us laugh and love better than we did before we knew you. 

... You ask a million questions, know the words to thousands of songs, have so many ideas, and still try to sneak into my bed at night. You say I’m the best snuggler in this family. I’ll take it – and your hugs and love, although the middle of the night will never be my favorite time. 

Happy birthday to the girl who loves loudly! 

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In this book about biblical friendships, we’ll l In this book about biblical friendships, we’ll learn how God has created us for communion, allowing His people—then and now—to befriend one another in holy ways.

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